Apparatus for separating ore materials from each other



R. S. TOWNE AND F. B. FLINN.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ORE MAIERIALS FROM EACH OTHER. 1,317,244.

APPLICATION mm SEPT. 12.

Patented Sept. 30, 1919.

Elg.Z.

1 Z 1 Z a 7 J? z .1 ,v z

Gig?

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ORE MATERIALS FROM EACH OTHER.

Application filed September 12, 19-14. Serial No.

To all 'u'hom it may concern: Be it known that we, Ronna'r S. TOWNE and FREDERICK B. FLINN, citizens of the United States, residing at New York and Orange, in the counties of New York and Essex and States of New York and, New Jersey. respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Separating ()re Materials from each other. of which the following is a specification, refelence being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The invention relates to an apparatus for treating ores for the purpose of separating the metalliferous particles from the nonmetalliferous particles thereof; and it relates particularly to an apparatus in which the separation is effected by means of relatively large bubbles of air which are caused to pass upward through a liquid pulp of the ore and withdraw the metalliferous particles therefrom.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means whereby the ore can be successively introduced into two or more re-' ceptacles considerabl above the bottoms thereof and in each 0 them subjected to the action of air bubbles to effect removal of the metalliferous particles. Another object of the'invention 18 to provide a separating apparatus having an improved are holding receptacle, improved ore feeding devices, and improved bubble receiving devices. Other objects will be a parent from the following specification an claims.

Of the drawings,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing one embodiment of the invention.

ig. 2 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

F i g. 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, especially Fi 1, 2 and 3, 1 and 2 represent, respective y, two tanks or receptacles in which the ore is contained while being treated. These re- Spcciflcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 30, 1919.

ceptacles are shown as constructed of sheet metal, but it will be understood that other materials may be used when desired. The receptacles are also shown as being rectangular in horizontal cross section but, as to the shape, there can be wide variation. 7 ever, the rectangular shape shown has features of advantage and when it is use we prefer to provide the two receptacles with a common division wall such as that indicated at 3. The receptacle 2 is much deeper than the receptacle 1, the bottom of the receptacle 1 being Well above that of the receptacle 2.

some suitable porous material such as silica. sponge, carborundum, a plurality of perforated metal plates, sheets of canvas, etc. of the receptacle 1 is inclined downward toward the partition 3 and the partition is rovided with an opening 6 just above the said bottom. The porous bottom 5 in the receptacle 2 is similarly inclined toward an of the receptacle. The two apertures 6 and 7 extend horizontally entirely across the receptacles, and vertically adjustable gates 8 and 9 are provided for opening and closin them and regulating the flow of materia therethrough.

The aperture 7' communicates With a discharge chamber 10 which preferably has two bottom sections inclined oppositely to discharge openings 11, 11. ommunicating with the discharge openings 11, 11, are pipes 12, 12, controlled by valves 13, 13. Connected with the pipes 12, 12 above the valves are supplemental discharge ipes 14, 14, which preferably are formed 0 flexible hose.

Valved air pipes 15 and 16 communicate respectively with the spaces below the two porous bottoms 4 and 5. These air pipes are connected with a suitable source of compressed air and, by means of them, air pressures can be maintained in the said spaces, the result being that air is forced upward through the said orous bottoms and into the receptacles to orm relatively large uniformly distributed bubbles therein.

The ore pulp to be treated is fed initially into the receptacle 1. The feeding can be effected in any of a number of ways, but we used, by raising or ends by i prefer devices such as those shown. 17 is an initial pulp receiver mounted centrally above the receptacle 1. Ore is supplied to it in a stream by A plurality of pipes 19, 19 extend downward from the receiver 17 and into the receptacle 1. These pipes are open at their lower ends and immediately below their lower ends there are positioned distributing devices 20, 20. These distributing devices are supported by rods 21 which extend upward through the pipes and are supported at their upper means of thumb screws 22 on brackets 23. By adjusting the thumb screws the rods and distributin devices can be raised or lowered and t e rate of flow through the pipes can be varied. The d18- tributing devices serve to throw the ore outward and distribute it in a substantially horizontal sheet over the entire cross sectional area of the receptacle.

The ore introduced in the way above described is permitted to flow through the 2 and to acopening 6 into the' receptacle the two receptacles to suitable cumulate in levels.

These levels can bemaintained and controlled by means of the devices which have been shown and described. The level in the rece tacle 1 can be controlled either by regulating the rate of feed or by regulating the rate of discharge by changing the position of. the gate 8; and the level in the receptacle 2 can be regulated either by changing the position of the gate 9 or by regulating the valves 13, 13, or, when the pipes 14, 14 are lowering their outer discharge ends.

The partition wall 3 between the two receptacles and the end walls of the receptacles are carried upward above the outer side walls. Arranged along these outer side walls are bubble receivers 24 and '25, the bottoms of these receivers preferably being inclined oppositelyfrom the center.

In usin the apparatus embodying our invention, t e ore, after being first pulverized, (when pulverization is necessary) is forme into a suitable liquid pulp, and oil, when necessary may be a constituent. This pulp is introduced in a stream into the intitial receiver 17 from which it flows downward through the pipes 19, 19 into the receptacle 1, the devices 20 serving as aforesaid to distribute the ore substantially uniformly over the entire cross sectional area of the receptacle. At the same time, air is ermitted to flow through the ipe 15 into t e space heneath the porous ttom 4. The air forces its way through the porous bottom and into the body of pulp in the receptacle in the form of relatively la ge air bubbles which are uniformly distributed horizontally and succession to substanwhich rise in re id I tially fill the entire volume. This mass of vertically rising bubbles engages the downward moving ore pulp and the bubbles having an aiiinity for the metalliferous particles (which may be oiled when necessary), collect these particles in their films and carry them upward. the non-metallifcrous particles being permitted to continue downward. The bubbles carrying the metallifcrous particles in their films continue to move upward above the top of the pulp and the successively emerging bubbles are carried upward by thope that follow, with the result that there is formed a bubble column extending to the top of the receptacle. The metalliferous particles are retained by the bubbles in the said column but the said bubbles have little or no ability 'to carry non-metalliferous articles and the rcsult is that any non-metailiferous particles that may have reached the surface of the pulp are dropped a short distance above the surface. The bubbles which reach the top of the column are well laden with metallil'crous particles but are substantially free from non-metalliferous particles. At the top of the receptacle the upper part of the bubble column carrying only metalliferous particles is scparted from the lower part which may contain some non-metalliferous particles. "his separation is cil'ected by gravity, the upper bubbles being permit ted to How over the side wall of the receptacle and into the receiver ll. In this receiver some of the bubbles may break down but those which remain, together with the liquid resulting from those which burst, flow along the inclined bottom of the receiver to be discharged and conducted to a suitable place for further treatment.

With an apparatus such as that contained in the receptacle 1. it is found that under sonfe' conditions. especially when the rate of pulp flow is high, the separation of the metalliferous particles is not entirely complete. In order to save any metallit'erous particles in the residue discharged from the first receptacle. the second receptacle 2 is provided. The residue from the receptacle 1 is discharged into the receptacle 2 at points considcrably/above the bottom thereof and is distributed more or less uniformly over the cross sectional area thereof. Here again it is acted upon by bubbles formed at the plate 5 and the action is similar to that already dcscribcd in connection with the receptacle l. The bubbles carrying the metalliferous particles are discharged into the recciver 25 from which they can be led away for further treatment.

It will be understood that the actions in the two receptacles 1 and 2 can be varied independently of each other. The air pressures beneath the two plates 4 and 5 can be regulated so as to give each receptacle the most ellicient rate of air flow, and, by means of the gates and valves, the depths of the pulp in the two receptacles can be varied so as to give the most eflicient results.

In Figs; 4, 5 and 6 we have shown a modification of the apparatus in which not only two rece tacles are provided, but three. The receptac es 1* and 2 are similar to those already described. The receptacle 26 is similar to receptacle 2 but is deeper. It is arranged to receive the ulp through the discharge aperture 7'. The ore from the receptacle 26 is discharged through an aperture 27 into a discharge chamber 28 which is similar to the discharge chamber 10 before referred to. This discharge chamber 28 can. if desired. have its walls continued upward as shown instead of being closed at the to as in the discharge chamber 10 in the otlier mechanism. The aperture 27 is controlled by an adjustable gate 29. The receptacle 26 has a porous plate 30 in the bottom similar to those already described and similarly connected with the source of air supply.

The bubbles from the two receptacles 2 and 26, instead of being discharged at the sides, are discharged at the ends into the receivers 31 and 32.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is similar to that of the ap paratus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and a. further specific description thereof will not be necessary.

It is suilicient to point out that this apfor a still further refineparatus provides It provides for a third ment of process.

treatment of the ore initially introduced into the receptacle 1.

What We claim is:

1. In an apparatus for separating the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous ingredients of an ore mass, the combination of a plurality of closely adjoining pulp receptacles; porous media in the lower parts of the receptacles respectively; means for supplying air under pressure below the said porous media and forcing it therethrough to form air bubbles substantially uniformly distributed across the receptacles; means for supplying ore pul to the first receptacle, said pulp being acted upon by the bubbles in the said receptacle to remove the metalliferous ingredients therefrom; means for removing the metal-laden bubbles from each receptacle at points above the surface of the pulp body, said air supplying means being spaced from each other and havin pro ressively increased spacing from t e bu ble overflow; means for discharging pulp from .the first receptacle near the bottom thereof and directly feeding it to the next receptacle at the side thereof and above the porous media therein, the air being further acted upon by the bubbles in the next receptacle to remove additional metalliferous ingredients therefrom; and means for discharging gredients of an the pulp from said next receptacle at the side opposite to the point of feeding.

2. In an a paratus for separating the metalliferous rom the non-metalliferous inore mass, the combination of a series of closely adjoining pulp receptacles; porous gas distributors in the lower parts of the receptacles respectively; means for supplying gas under pressure below the said distributers and forcing it therethrough to form gas bubbles substantially uniformly distributed across the receptacles; means for supplying ore ulp to the first receptacle of the series at a point above the gas distributer therein, the said pul being acted upon by the bubbles in the rst receptacle to remove metalliferous ingredients therefrom; regulable means for discharging the pulp from the fiist receptacle directly to the second receptacle at a point above the porous gas distributer therein where it is acted upon by the bubbles in the second receptacle to remove additional metalliferous ingredients from the pulp; means for dischargin the pulp from the second receptacle; an means for removing the metal-laden bubbles from each receptacle at a point above the surface of the pulp body, said porous gas distributers being spaced from each other and having rogressively increased spacing from the bu ble overflow.

3. In apparatus for separating the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous ingredients of an ore mass, the combination of a plurality of closely adjoining pulp receptacles; porous gas distributers 1n the lower parts of the receptacles respectively, one of the porous gas distributers being than the other; means for supplying a gase us medium under pressure into said distributers and forcing it through the porous surface thereof to form bubbles substantially uniformly distributed across the receptacles; means for supplying the ore pulp to the receptacle having the higher gas distributerabove said distributer the said pul being acted upon by the bubbles in the'sai receptacle to remove the metalliferous ingredients therefrom; means for the direct gravity discharge of the pulp from a point 1mme iately above the gas distributer in the first rece tacle to a point above the gas distributer 1n the next receptacle, the ore bei further acted upon by the bubbles in solid next receptacle to remove additional metal- ]iferous ingredients therefrom; means for discharging the pul from the second receptacle; and means or removing the metalladen bubbles from each receptacle at a. point above the surface of the pulp body, said gas distributers being spaced from each other and having progressivel increased spacing from the bubble over ow of the receptacle.

4. In an apparatus for separating the metal higher liferous from the non-m talliferous ingreclients of an ore mass, tht combination of a plurality of directly connecting pulp receptacles arranged closely adjacent each other with a common division wall having an aperture near the bottom of one and above the bottom of the other, porous plates in the lower parts of the receptacles respectively, the plate in a receptaclebeing immediately below the said aperture and the plate in the succeeding receptacle bein consider ably below the aperture, means or supplying air under pressure below the said porous plates and forcing it therethrough to form relatively large air bubbles substantially uniformly distributed across the receptacles, means for supplying ore pulp to the first receptacle at points above the porous plate therein, the said pulp being acted upon by the bubbles in the said first receptacle to remove metalliferous ingredients therefrom and then flowing through the said aperture into the next receptacle where it is acted upon by the bubbles therein to remove further metalliferous ingredients therefrom, means for discharging the pulp from the last receptacle, and means for removing the metal-laden bubbles from each receptacle at points above the surface of the pulp body.

5. In an apparatus for separating the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous ingredients of an ore mass, the combination of a container for a body of ore pulp, a vertical partition dividing the container into sections, porous plates in the lower parts of the sections respectively, means for supplying air under pressure below the said porous plates and forcing it therethrough to form relatively large air bubbles substantially uniformly distributed across the sections, means for supplying ore pulp to the container at points above the porous plates therein, the said pulp being acted upon by the bubbles in the container to remove metalliferous ingredients therefrom, means for discharging the pulp from the two sections, means for regulating the flow of pulp through the two sections to maintain the pulp level in one of them different from that in the other, and means for removing the metal-laden bubbles from each receptacle at a point above the surface of the pulp body, said porous plates being spaced from each other and having progressively increased spacing from the bubble overflow.

6. In an apparatus for separating the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous ingredients of an ore mass, the combination of a container for a body of ore pulp, a vertical partition dividing the container into sections, porous plates in the lower parts of the sections respectively, means for supplying air under pressure below the saidporous plates and forcing it therethrough to form relatively large air bubbles substantially uniformly distributed across the sections, means for supplyin ore pulp to the container at points above the porous plates therein, the said pulp being acted upon by the bubbles in the container to remove metall'iferous ingredients therefrom, means for discharging the pulp from the two sections, and bubble receivers for the two receptacles respectively arranged on oposite sides of the said partition, said porous lates being spaced from each other and aving progressivel increased spacing from the bubble ove ow.

7 In an a paratus for separating the metalliferous rom the non-metalliferous ingredients of an ore mass, the combination of a pulp receptacle, said receptacle being divided into compartments which directly communicate through a transverse substantially constricted passage; a porous medium in the lower portion of each compartment of the receptacle, the porous mediums of successive compartments being arranged in stepped relation, each of said porous mediums forming a separate and independent gas-diffusing unit, means supplying a gaseous medium under presure below the said porous mediums and forcing it therethrough to form uniformly distributed air bubbles; means for supplying ore pulp to the rece tacle, the said pulp being acted upon by t e said bubbles to remove the metalliferous inredients therefrom; and means for collectmg and discharging from the receptacle the resulting barren pulp.

8. In an a paratus for separating the 100 metalliferous mm the non-metalliferous ingredients of an ore mass, the combination of a pulp receptacle, a porous plate in the lower part of the receptacle, means for supplying air under pressure below the said 105 porous plate and forcing it therethrough to form relatively large substantiall uniformly distributed air bubbles, a p urality of horizontally acting spray devices ar ranged in a series longitudinally of the re- 110 ceptacle for supplying ore pulp to the receptacle at a plurality of points remote from the sides thereof, the said pulp being acted upon in the said bubbles to remove the metalli erous ingredients therefrom, and 115 means for collecting and discharging from the receptacle the resulting barren pulp.

9. In a frothing classifier, a tank and means for admitting air to said tank, said means comprising a series of air chambers disposed 3acent tanks ias in to direct pulp to a succeeding lower distributor, and meai'is for supplying gas to the several distributers.

1'1. A frothing classifier, comprising a tank having a plurality of closely adjoining compartments, each of said compartments having an independent gas-distributing unit in its lower part, and pulp'feeding means leading from the bottom of one compartment and directly connecting with the next adjacent compartment above the gas distributing unit thereof, said units being in stepped relation, each of said units serving, also, to direct pulp to a succeeding lower unit.

12. A frothing classifier comprising a tank having a plurality of closely adjoining com- )artments each provided with separate and mdependent means for admitting a gaseous medium thereto at the lower part thereof, said means being in stepped relation, and )ulp-feeding means in a wall separating ador compartments and leading from the bottom of one tank or compartment to the next adjacent tank or compartment above the gas admitting means thereof.

13. A frothing classifier comprising-a tank having a plurality of closely adjoining comartments each provided with separate and independent means for admitting a aseous medium thereto at the lower part t ereof, said means being in stepped relation, pulpfeeding means in a wall separatin adjacent tanks or compartments and lea mg from the bottom of one tank or compartment to the next adjacent tank or compartment above the as admitting means thereof, a central feec? partment, and a launder at the top of the classifier for overflow bubbles.

14. A flotation tank having a bubble over- ,flow in an upper portion, said tank increasing in depth from a pulp feed portion toward a. pulp discharge portion, means forming the tank into successive communicatin compartments, and separate means in t e bottom of each compartment for distributing a gaseous medium thereinto substantially throughout the cross area of the contents of the compartment, said means being in stepped relation, the gas distributin means for the compartment being indepen out and havin rogressively increased spacing from the bii bble overflow at the upper portion of the tank.

15. A flotation tank adapted to contain a deep bodv of powdered ore, water and a frothing agent, said tank increasing in depth from one portion to another, means dividing the interior of the tank into communicating compartments, independent gas distributers in the bottom of the compartments arranged at different levels and each having a' porous surface ada ted to deliver fine streams of gas upward y throu hout substantiall the cross area of the pu p contents therea ove,

pipe leading into the first com-,

' to produce pneumatic flotation of said distributer, and means for removing the metal-laden bubbles from the tank above the liquid level thereof.

16. A flotation tank adapted to contain a. deep body of powdered ore, water and a. frothing agent, means dividing the interior of the tank into communicating compartments, independent gas distributers in the bottom of the compartments and each havmg a porous surface adapted to deliver fine streams of gas upwardly throughout substantially the cross area of the pulp contents thereabove to produce pneumatic flotation of the metalliferous articles of the ore mass, said distributers eing arranged in stepped relation, the points of communication between succeeding compartments of the tank being proximate the porous surface of the gas distributers of a preceding compartment, means for admitting a, gaseous medium to said distributers, and means for removing metal-laden bubbles from the tank above the liquid level thereof.

17. A flotation tank adapted to contain a deep body of powdered ore, water and a frothing agent, and having a partition dividing the interior of the tank into compartments, said compartments communicating through a restricted passage below the partition; independent gas receivers in the compartments of the tank having porous 11 per surfaces for discharging. fine streams 0 gas into the fluid contents of the compartments the mineral constituents of the ore mass, said gas receivers beingarranged in stepped relation 05 and each being separate from the others, means for supplying a gaseous medium to said receivers, and means for discharging tailings from the tank, said tank having a bubble overflow at the upper portion.

18. A flotation tank adapted to contain powdered ore, water and a frothing agent, said tank having a plurality of successive separated gas receiving chambers in its bottom, said chambers each having a porous 1 5 upper surface through which the gaseous medium is emitted into the fluid contents of the tank to produce pneumatic flotation of the metalliferous constituents of the ore mass and being relatively arranged in no stepped relation, and means for introducing a gaseous mediu m into said separated receivers.

19. An apparatus for separating metalliferous from non-metalliferous particles of 195 an ore mass comprising a plurality of chamhere, the bottoms of said chambers being progressively stepped, means to emit gas bubbles in each of said chambers in pro:- mity to the bottom thereof, and means to 180 permit flow of tailinqs from one chamber adacent the bottom tlereof to the adjacent chamber, whereby said tailings will be subjected to concentration by said gas bubbles in said second chamber.

20. An apparatus for separating metal liferons from non metalliferons particles of an ore mass comprising a )lurality of chambers, the bottoms of said chambers being progressircly stepped means to emit gas bubbles in each of said chambers in proximity to the bottom thereof, means to ermit How of tailings from one chamber a jaoent the bottom thereof to the adjacent chamber, whereby said tailings will be subjected to conccntration by said gas bubbles in said second chamber, and a discharge receptacle in communication with the last of said chambers in the direction of progression of the tailmgs.

21. An apparatus for separating metalliferous from non-metalliferous particles of of chaman ore mass comprising a (plurality Ii )ers bei g bers, the bottoms of sai cham pro ressively step ed, means to emit gas bub iles in each 0 said chambers, in proximity to the bottom thereof, means to ermit flow of tailings from one chamber a jacent the bottom thereof to the ad'aoent, chamber, whereby said tailings will e subjected to concentration by said gas bubbles in said second chamber, and a dischar e receptacle in communication with the ast of said chambers in the direction of progression of the tailings, the bottom of said receptacle being below the discharge zone of said last named chamber.

In testimony whereof, we afiix our signatures, in presence of two witnesses:

ROBERT SAFFORD TOWNE. FREDERICK B. FLINN. Witnesses:

DAVID sco'rr, R. E. SAFIFORD.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,317,244.

1t whereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,317,244, granted September 30,

; 1919, upon the application of Robert Sefiord Towne, of New York, N. Y., ind

Frederiek B. Flinn, of Orange, New Jersey, for an improvement in "Apparatus for Separating Ore Materials from Each Other," an erro'r appears in the printed speck fic'ation requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 62, claim 1, for the word air read an; and that the said Letter-e Patent should be read with this eorrection therein that the same m'ay conform to the record of the ease in the Patel 1t Office.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of November, A. D., 1919.

5mm M. H. couLs'r'on,

Acting C'ommisdoner of Patents. 01. 8385. 

